Written by: Nayha Jehangir Khan
Posted on: July 07, 2022 | 
| 中文
Jars by Urns and Planters by Ghaz at Tali
Pakistani heritage craftsmanship is a fading art slowly being lost to mass-produced fast fashion and the industrialisation of handicraft designs. The legacy of these ancient crafts used to be passed down from generation to generation through lifelong apprenticeship, but that tradition has become impossible to continue due to a lack of resources and affordable retail spaces for artisans. Contemporary concept art stores in Karachi passionately curate a diverse range of local heritage textile, pottery, jewellery and homeware in their multifunctioning display spaces to highlight, promote and preserve these dying craft traditions. Various remote districts located in Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Kashmir and the Northern Areas of the country have their own unique heritage crafts. Cultural organisations such as Lok Virsa, National Crafts Council of Pakistan and World Crafts Council have frequently come together to host annual festivals showcasing hundreds of artisans. It has created an opportunity for craftsmen to sell their designs and handicrafts to the public. In the same spirit, concept stores and markets are now providing a modern retail space for artisans to sell their work.
Kaantha handbags at Tali
Sadiqa Husain Tayebaly is a Product Designer and entrepreneur, who created Tali (taali) as a novelty heritage store that showcased local crafts, sustainable designs and new-age interpretations of indigenous art. The store has a handloom fabric weaving machine stationed in the basement where visitors can observe the artisans creating traditional designs and motifs. There are silk scarves in handcrafted block-prints made with natural dyes. Ustaad Gul Faraz is celebrated by Tali as an in-house master wood carver, creating designs inspired by Chiniot, Kashmir, Swat and Peshawar. The contemporary designs available include fashionable handbags, clothing, bed linen, tableware and cushions in hand-embroidered rilli & kaantha. Those looking for copper carving and hammering or unique clay glazed vases will enjoy exploring the collection. The revival of traditional techniques is at the heart of the store’s philosophy, ensuring that each piece of furniture, tray, table and box has an element of heritage design. There are Chitarkari pieces with engraving on slate, colourful Jhandri wooden candle stands, Kari Kalamdani that comes from Kashmir and unglazed terracotta wind-chimes from Tando Bago.
Hindsa table, Hala Kashighar pottery, solid wood bench and heritage textiles at Tali
Socially conscious entrepreneurship has become a movement that promotes unique gift ideas made by small homegrown producers. With the ban on importing international goods and luxury items, alternative marketplaces like The Commons are introducing customers to local artists, designers, makers and creatives. The Commons Karachi Makers Market and The Commons Karachi Experiences are curated interactive spaces that are designed to support local home-grown businesses and talent to a larger clientele. Their focus is to highlight and promote hand-made, local and sustainable products that include clothing, food, beauty, wellness & health. Having hosted a successful Eid Market and pop-up event in Lahore, The Commons is active over the weekends in Habitt City, Karachi.
The Commons at Habitt City, Karachi
Sabah Gailani created Serai as a cultural retail space hosting multiple brands under one roof. The dual-story building has carefully curated rooms, corridors, shelves and landings that are meant to act as a walkthrough experience for the visitor. The ground floor hosts a diverse lifestyle catalogue of furniture sets, lamps, homeware, standing tables and many more unique design offerings. The upstairs floor has fashion racks dedicated to designers that want to showcase capsule collections of readymade pret and heirloom fabrics. There are shoes, jewellery and accessories inspired by traditional techniques, but with modern motifs that are unique to the artist. There is a section dedicated to children’s bed linen, baby nursery decorations and furniture that are all anchored in heritage textile design.
Displayed Designs by Table Ware, Interlace, Kollo, Zeh and Topstone at Serai
Ayesha Ali started Kayal in Islamabad and has expanded to Karachi, the concept store’s fresh and modern catalogue includes a wide variety of products that are made by homegrown artists and small enterprise businesses. Kayal is interested in local manufacturing systems, highlighting the importance of ethical practices through supporting their community's local arts & crafts. Kayal’s fashion collection has bright and colourful cotton block printing designs that are considered summer essentials by men and women. Their unconventional and expansive repertoire of products has visual artists, children’s book authors and illustrators, handcrafted leather, notebooks, jewellery designers, coasters, trays, prints, modern handicrafts, candles and organic skincare products. Each visit grants a new discovery and a unique opportunity to connect with the artisan community of the city.
Displayed Designs by HipFlask Designs, Ceramics & Scarfs at Kayal
All of these concept spaces are fundamentally grounded in the preservation, cultivation and development of the arts & crafts of Pakistan. Their efforts in building elevated cultural shopping experiences increase awareness about the traditional craftsmanship and heritage designs that inspire modern creators and designers of today. These gift stores are designed to be a meeting point for the public and artisans, so that there is a cultural exchange possible between the older and the younger generation of artisans.
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